Visiting a patient

You do not need to book a slot to visit a patient at New Cross, Cannock Chase or West Park Hospitals.

A maximum of two visitors per patient will be welcomed, and they can simply turn up to the wards during the appropriate visiting hours.

Visiting times will be between 11am and 8pm for general wards.

Please note that these arrangements won’t apply to specialist areas including Maternity, Neonatal, Children’s Wards and Intensive Care, as these have their own visiting times in place to meet specific needs.

Visitors are advised to check with these wards directly via the hospital switchboard on 01902 307999 before attending.

Good hand hygiene is essential to prevent the spread of infections. Visitors should use the hand sanitisers provided, before and after visiting a patient. You must not visit someone in hospital if you have a cough, cold, diarrhoea, vomiting or any other infectious condition.

In exceptional circumstances, visits outside of normal hours can be supported.

This might be when a patient:

• is at the end of their life
• needs additional support from a carer
• would like religious or spiritual care
• needs further support following a diagnosis or difficult news
• needs support at mealtimes

Please ask a member of staff on the ward for more information.

Calling the ward
Please call our switchboard on 01902 307999 and ask for the ward you need.

Please note that to protect patient confidentiality, only limited information can be shared over the phone.

Calling your family member or friend directly
You may be able to reach your loved one on their personal mobile phone. Please check with them or the ward staff.

Checking in
On arrival, please check in at the ward information desk. This helps ensure the safety and security of all patients.

Unpaid carers with a ‘partner in care’ agreement will be issued a visitor’s pass and given any necessary instructions. An unpaid carer is anyone, including children and adults, who looks after a family member, partner, or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, mental health problem or addiction and cannot cope without their support. The care they give is unpaid. This does not have to be the patient’s next of kin.

Hand hygiene
Good hand hygiene is essential to prevent the spread of infections. Please use the hand sanitisers provided, especially before and after visiting a patient. You are also encouraged to wash your hands using soap and water where a sink is available. You must not visit someone in hospital if you have a cough, cold, diarrhoea, vomiting or any other infectious condition.

Privacy and confidentiality
Respect the patient’s right to privacy. Always knock before entering a patient’s room or check it is ok to enter if a curtain is pulled around the bed space.

You may be kindly asked to leave the ward during doctors’ rounds to ensure other patients’ confidentiality, or if our facilities staff need to clean around the bedspace.

Avoid discussing the patient’s condition or medical history in public areas.

Supportive mealtimes
We believe ‘mealtimes matter’ and will try to avoid carrying out assessments or treatment at mealtimes so patients can eat in a calm and relaxed environment.

Visitors are welcome to assist the person they are visiting at mealtimes, with their agreement. Please speak to the nurse in charge before assisting (ask for them at the ward reception desk).

There may be occasions when enhanced support is provided by ‘Mealtime Mate’ volunteers, who are trained to support patients to be ‘mealtime ready’ and enjoy a comfortable mealtime experience.

Comfort items
Feel free to bring comfort items for the patient such as books, magazines, or personal items such as toiletries, glasses, suitable clothing, and footwear. We are a smoke-free hospital, so cigarettes are not allowed within the hospital grounds.

While thoughtful gestures are appreciated, please check with the nursing staff for any restrictions on gifts or flowers.

Discuss any diet restrictions or food preferences with the patient and nursing staff before bringing any food or beverages to the ward.

Interacting with our staff
Our staff are here to provide the best care possible. If you have questions or concerns, please approach a nurse or ward manager. You may also wish to contact the Patient Relations Team.

Support services
Our Trust offers various support services including chaplaincy services, family and carers support, and volunteer programmes. Feel free to ask staff about these resources during your visit.